INSPIRE Devotionals
With Emmanuel Afiawari
Friday, June 6, 2025
Topic: SCARS? POINTERS TO MY STAR & VICTORY (Part 4)!
Memory Verse: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5 KJV
*Bible Text:* Isaiah 9:5 KJV
5. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
INSPIRATION: Today, we'll delve into this topic using Ruth and Hannah as our case study respectively. Their scars cut so deeply pronounced that the entire nation knew their stories, and so too, were their victories. Ruth, a Moabitess, had married one of the sons of Naomi and Elimelech. But not long after, her husband died. Nothing to fall back on, but she stuck out her heart for the God of her mother in-law (Ruth 1: 16).
When we focus wholly on God rather than our situations, He'll always disrupt the negative plans to come through for us. God orchestrated plans and Ruth remarried and birthed the grandparents of David, and by extension, Jesus! Hannah, on the other hand, battled the scars of childlessness and open mockery. She was scorned and ridiculed (1 Sam. 1: 6-16). The more intense the scorn, the deeper she poured her heart to God. Then, she struck a deal with God: give me a son, and I'd give you a priest (1 Sam. 2: 12-36).
Hannah's scars was an instrument to birth the great Prophet Samuel. Scriptures record of the children of Israel, "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew..." (Exo 1:12). The scars meant for your afflictions would become your springboard for growth and multiplication. God would use your scars to gift you victory trophies that deflate and defeat the pains of your scars.
TODAY'S TAKE HOME:
When life throws stones at you, do not allow yourself to be buried in the rubbles. Gather the stones as your initial building material and erect an edifice from it. Like Ruth, birth your 'David' from it, and like Hannah, call forth your 'Prophet Samuel' from the scars life hands you.
PRAYER: O Lord, I receive grace to develop a positive outlook from life's many scars. I multiply and grow like an edifice regardless of the many attempts to pluck me down. I see differently and compel my scars to turn into multi-coloured stars of glory on my trophies, in Jesus name.
